US20110162940A1 - Spongy mass for treating end walls of thermoplastic containers and device equipped therewith especially for cooling the hot end walls of containers leaving a molding unit - Google Patents

Spongy mass for treating end walls of thermoplastic containers and device equipped therewith especially for cooling the hot end walls of containers leaving a molding unit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20110162940A1
US20110162940A1 US13/056,618 US200913056618A US2011162940A1 US 20110162940 A1 US20110162940 A1 US 20110162940A1 US 200913056618 A US200913056618 A US 200913056618A US 2011162940 A1 US2011162940 A1 US 2011162940A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
spongy
spongy mass
containers
mass
grooves
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/056,618
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mikaël Derrien
Guy Feuilloley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Assigned to SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS reassignment SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DERRIEN, MIKAEL, FEUILLOLEY, GUY
Publication of US20110162940A1 publication Critical patent/US20110162940A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C44/00—Shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. swelling or foaming ; Producing porous or cellular expanded plastics articles
    • B29C44/34—Auxiliary operations
    • B29C44/56—After-treatment of articles, e.g. for altering the shape
    • B29C44/5627—After-treatment of articles, e.g. for altering the shape by mechanical deformation, e.g. crushing, embossing, stretching
    • B29C44/5654—Subdividing foamed articles to obtain particular surface properties, e.g. on multiple modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/64—Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/16—Cooling
    • B29C2035/1616—Cooling using liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/64—Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
    • B29C49/6604—Thermal conditioning of the blown article
    • B29C2049/6606—Cooling the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/64—Heating or cooling preforms, parisons or blown articles
    • B29C49/6604—Thermal conditioning of the blown article
    • B29C2049/6606—Cooling the article
    • B29C2049/6676—Cooling the article the medium being oriented towards special areas of the blown article
    • B29C2049/6692—Bottom area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C49/00—Blow-moulding, i.e. blowing a preform or parison to a desired shape within a mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C49/42—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C49/4273—Auxiliary operations after the blow-moulding operation not otherwise provided for
    • B29C49/42817—Drying the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7172—Fuel tanks, jerry cans
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/74—Domestic articles
    • B29L2031/7406—Sponges; Cleaning equipment
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
    • Y10T428/24496—Foamed or cellular component
    • Y10T428/24504—Component comprises a polymer [e.g., rubber, etc.]
    • Y10T428/24512—Polyurethane

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the field of manufacturing thermoplastic containers, and more particularly relates to the treatment of end walls of thermoplastic containers, particularly but not exclusively for the cooling of hot end walls of containers made of a thermoplastic material, such as PET, leaving a blow molding or stretch-blow molding unit based on heated preforms in molds.
  • a thermoplastic material such as PET
  • the end wall is the part of thermoplastic containers that is the most difficult to treat and that requires the most attention during the manufacturing process.
  • the end wall is the thickest part of the containers, at least in parts (typically, the thickness of the end wall can be between one and twenty times the thickness of the wall of the container body at some points at least). As a result, the end wall accumulates a large amount of heat during the heating step performed prior to the molding step. This heat is still present when the finished container is removed from the mold.
  • the hot end wall is mechanically very fragile, because the still very hot thermoplastic material can become deformed from its own weight and/or from the residual stresses associated with the blowing process. Having a perfectly shaped container end wall ensures container stability when it is placed on a flat surface, and any deformation of the end wall compromises this stability and results in a commercially unusable container.
  • the material that forms the end wall be cooled as quickly as possible when the finished container leaves the mold, so that it is stabilized in the required shape imparted by the mold.
  • Some systems have also sprayed a gaseous fluid (usually air) or a liquid (usually water) in the form of a possibly cooled mist, onto the end walls of the containers filing out of the molding system, in order to accelerate the cooling of the end walls.
  • a gaseous fluid usually air
  • a liquid usually water
  • coolant sprays can cause pollution (bacteria, etc.), both from the blowing system and the final containers, as well as disturbances in adjacent parts of the system. For this reason, avoiding such arrangements is preferred.
  • thermoplastic container production facilities require ever-increasing operating speeds, and rates on the order of 80,000 containers per hour are currently anticipated.
  • the need for increasingly compact systems in order to fit into smaller spaces is leading to closer proximity of the various processing stations, for example between the blow-molding system and the filling system that follows it.
  • the time for transferring containers between the blow-molding system and the filling system may be reduced to only a few seconds. It is no longer possible under such conditions for the end walls of the containers leaving the molding unit to be cooled under the same conditions used in the past.
  • thermoplastic container manufacturing Independently of what has just been described concerning the cooling of hot end walls of thermoplastic containers leaving the molding unit, and in the general context of thermoplastic container manufacturing, some production processes may require the application of a product in fluid form, particularly a liquid, to the end wall of thermoplastic containers, not to lower the temperature as described above, but rather to raise the temperature or to modify the surface finish of the container end wall.
  • the surface finish of the container end wall may be modified by applying a suitable fluid, particularly a liquid, to the outer face of said end wall (Examples: depositing a layer to protect against corrosive chemicals, coloring the outer face of the end walls for decorative purposes . . . ).
  • the invention proposes an improved means of treating the end walls of containers, particularly but not exclusively in order to cool rapidly the end walls of containers leaving the molding unit, or to wipe or dry the end walls of containers, under cost and space conditions that are acceptable for facilities operating at very high production rates and under technical conditions that result in no change or disturbance to upstream or downstream processes.
  • a first aspect of the invention proposes a spongy mass for treating the end walls of containers produced in facilities that operate at very high production rates, said spongy mass suitable for being held in contact with the end wall of a container for a predetermined period in order to treat said end wall of the container, with said mass:
  • blind grooves which open onto said main face but do not emerge on the opposite side, and which are distributed into two sets of mutually transverse grooves that delimit blocks.
  • the spongy mass is noteworthy in that it consists of flexible reticulated foam with semi-open cells and high resilience, and in that it consists of polyurethane foam with a mass density between about 10 and 600 kg/m 3 .
  • treatment should be understood to mean any application of any product to the end walls of containers or, conversely, at least partial removal of a product from the end walls of containers, by simple contact with a spongy mass having a predetermined required quality, meaning it is saturated with the product to be applied or conversely it is rid of the traces of the product to be removed.
  • the polyurethane foam constituting the spongy mass is a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester polyurethane foam.
  • the mass density is between about 10 and 600 kg/m 3 , so that the spongy mass can withstand high production rates and still be flexible enough to allow the compression of individual blocks, such that the spongy mass conforms to the shape of the container end walls in the best possible manner.
  • the most appropriate mass density is approximately 38 kg/m 3 .
  • the depth of said grooves is between about 7 and 15 mm, preferably about 10 mm, and in practice they may be about 1 mm in width.
  • said grooves are mutually substantially parallel within each set, and the grooves of one set are substantially perpendicular to those of the other set.
  • said blocks have a substantially square shape measuring about 15 to 25 mm on each side, and preferably about 19 mm, with said grooves spaced about 20 mm apart.
  • the spongy mass has a substantially quadrangular general shape in a top view, and in particular has a substantially square general shape, and said grooves of the two sets are substantially parallel to its respective sides.
  • each spongy mass may comprise two substantially parallel lateral scores cut into the lateral wall substantially perpendicularly to said grooves.
  • a forked support may be provided, with arms onto which the spongy mass is slid.
  • the main face of the spongy mass may be substantially flat, and experience has shown that such a structure is entirely satisfactory for treating end walls of any shape, including complex shapes (so called “petaloid” end walls, for example).
  • end walls of any shape including complex shapes (so called “petaloid” end walls, for example).
  • at least the center of the main face of the spongy mass may be rounded in relation to the shape of the end wall of the containers (and in particular may be concave or convex, depending on the shape of said end wall).
  • a spongy mass according to the invention affords excellent deformability, both in amplitude and surface area.
  • the blocks of the spongy mass are capable of sustaining about 20 mm of compression.
  • the advantage of dividing the spongy mass into independent blocks is that each block can sustain individual compression according to the specific shape of the portion of end wall surface of the container with which it is in contact, independently of the adjacent blocks; thus the spongy mass can be placed in continuous contact with the entire surface of the end wall of the container, even if the shape of the end wall is complex, such as a petaloid end wall.
  • the preferred dimensions indicated in the exemplary embodiments allow the blocks to be compressed individually, without the possibility of folding and interfering with one another. This ensures that the spongy mass will retain its shape and therefore its characteristics and functional capabilities; furthermore, as each block is independently compressed against the end wall in relation to the local shape of the end wall, the stress exerted on the end wall of the containers is significantly reduced, thus avoiding any risk of accidental deformation of the end wall.
  • This advantage is essential when operating at very high speeds, especially in the case of a system as described below, which needs to be capable of operating at a very high speed, since, in a preferred application, a heat transfer fluid, particularly a liquid, is applied to the end walls of successive containers for the purpose of cooling their end walls as they leave the hot blow molding unit.
  • each spongy mass (sustaining about 20 mm of deflection in contact with the end wall) remains in contact with the end wall of a container, whose temperature on leaving the mold may be about 70° C. to 85° C., for about 0.9 seconds.
  • a second aspect of the invention proposes a system for treating the end wall of at least one thermoplastic container, comprising:
  • each support means comprises a substantially flat perforated base integral with the transfer means and a platen for receiving at least one spongy mass detachably affixed to said base such that the spongy mass is atop said base.
  • the spongy mass comprises two substantially parallel lateral scores cut into the lateral wall substantially perpendicularly to said grooves in two mutually opposite areas on the periphery of its lower portion underlying said grooves
  • said platen may be in the form of a fork with two arms that are respectively inserted into the two lateral scores in the spongy mass. It is then beneficial for each support means to be arranged to support two spongy masses side by side.
  • a system arranged as explained above may also be used to deposit a product on the end walls of the containers, particularly a liquid such as a heat transfer liquid (such as water), in order to modify the temperature of said end wall (cooling it, for example), or, on the contrary, to remove at least part of a product from said end wall, for example to remove (at least partially drying) a liquid such as water which may result from a prior step, for example a step of cooling said end walls as they leave the blow molds.
  • a liquid such as a heat transfer liquid (such as water)
  • the invention relates to the use of a spongy mass as defined above, for treating the end walls of containers produced in very high production rate facilities.
  • the treatment may consist of the application of product or wiping off (removal of product).
  • FIG. 1A is a highly schematic view illustrating the general aspects of one possible application of the invention using a spongy mass according to the invention
  • FIG. 1B is a highly schematic view, similar to the one in FIG. 1A , illustrating the general aspects of a possible preferred example of the aspects shown in FIG. 1A ,
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a spongy mass arranged according to the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of a rotary carousel-type system incorporating a plurality of spongy masses according to the invention, in a practical implementation of the aspects of FIG. 1 , and
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are two perspective top views of a support arrangement for spongy masses according to the invention, suitable for use in the system in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4B being an exploded view of the assembled arrangement in FIG. 4A .
  • FIG. 1A very schematically illustrates a possible implementation of a process for applying a fluid to the end wall 2 of at least one container 1 , particularly a bottle, made of thermoplastic material such as PET.
  • a heat transfer fluid of an appropriate temperature and possibly with an added additive is applied to the end wall 2 of the container, in order to change the temperature of said end wall 2 ; more specifically, this may involve applying a cooling fluid to the end wall 2 of the container as it leaves the blow molding unit in order to cool rapidly the material of said end wall so as to stabilize its shape.
  • the end wall 2 of said at least one container 1 and a spongy mass 4 saturated with said fluid are brought into mutual contact and that contact is maintained by means of an appropriate support S for a predetermined period.
  • the container 1 is conveyed along a predetermined path T (indicated by the arrow T), while supported by conveyor means, denoted as 5 in FIG. 1A . It is assumed in the representation in FIG. 1A that the container 1 is supported by a clamping unit 6 comprising clamps 9 around the neck 7 of the container 1 , above a flange 8 and between said flange and a thread on said neck 7 for securing a cap, and that said clamping unit 6 is itself supported by the conveyor means 5 .
  • FIG. 1A the method of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A as being implemented in a substantially rectilinear portion of the path T.
  • the spongy mass 4 is advanced at substantially the same speed as the container 1 along a path U (indicated in the diagram by the arrow U) of limited length D, substantially parallel to the path T of the container 1 , simultaneously with its being maintained in contact with the end wall 2 of the container 1 for said predetermined period.
  • the spongy mass 4 was at least partially saturated with fresh fluid having the desired characteristics, at a particular location 10 , for example within an enclosure (indicated as a box in FIG. 1A ). Once saturated with fresh fluid in any appropriate manner, for which examples will be provided below, the spongy mass 4 is raised out of the enclosure 10 (arrow 12 ), then applied against the end wall 2 of the container 1 when they are aligned.
  • the spongy mass 4 then accompanies said end wall 2 as the container 1 travels along a given portion D of said path T, which corresponds, in relation to the travel speed of the container 1 , to a predetermined contact period that should result in obtaining the desired effect on said end wall.
  • the spongy mass is moved away from the end wall 2 (arrow 13 ), while the container 1 conveyed by the conveyor means 5 continues its course.
  • the fluid in the spongy mass 4 may have at least partially disappeared (for example presence or appearance of a liquid phase which has dripped off) and may possibly have lost all or some of its characteristics in contact with the end wall 2 , and can then be returned to its starting point near the enclosure 10 where it is again loaded with fresh fluid, awaiting the arrival of another container 1 .
  • FIG. 1B which is analogous to FIG. 1A discussed above
  • the aforesaid location 10 may be in the form of a tank, also denoted 10 , which contains a liquid 11 .
  • the spongy mass 4 is, for example, immersed in the tank 10 , then removed therefrom to be placed in contact with the end wall 2 of a container, then finally returned to the tank 10 to be reloaded with liquid 11 .
  • the conveyor means 5 are represented as conveying the containers 1 along a path T at a substantially constant level, while it is the spongy mass 4 that is raised in order to be placed against the end wall 2 of the successive containers 1 .
  • the spongy mass 4 that is raised in order to be placed against the end wall 2 of the successive containers 1 .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a spongy mass 4 arranged according to the invention.
  • the spongy mass 4 consists of a flexible reticulated foam with semi-open cells and high resilience (cellular foam technology).
  • it can be a polyurethane foam, and particularly a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester polyurethane foam, having a density between about 10 and 600 kg/m3, and preferably about 38 kg/m3.
  • this foam is white in color.
  • this foam may preferably have a flash point between 315° C. and 370° C., a decomposition temperature greater than 180° C., and thermal energy on the order of 28,000 kJ/kg.
  • a foam of the type indicated above is, for example, marketed in France by the company Recticel France SAS.
  • a spongy mass produced in this manner to have a long service life, enabling it, in the context of the application more specifically addressed above, to withstand a high number of compression/expansion cycles when wringing it out when the spongy mass needs to be emptied of at least a portion of the liquid phase it contains (typically around 1.5 million cycles corresponding to a production capacity on the order of 1800 containers per hour per mold in a facility that can have up to about 46 molds, over a period of about 35 days).
  • the spongy mass 4 has a main face 14 for contact with the end wall 2 of the container (upper face in the operating configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 ) and comprises two sets of mutually transverse blind grooves 15 that open onto said main face but do not emerge on the opposite side.
  • the grooves 15 belonging to these two sets are respectively denoted by the numeric references 15 a , 15 b , and they delimit blocks 16 .
  • This block configuration of the portion of the spongy mass 4 intended to be applied against the end wall 2 of the containers 1 gives this portion a capacity for deformation (compression) that is relatively homogeneous across the entire face 14 , such that contact with the spongy mass is ensured over the entire surface of the end wall.
  • the grooves 15 have a depth h between about 7 and 15 mm, and preferably about 10 mm, and the spongy mass has a compression capacity of about 20 mm.
  • the essential characteristic of the blocks lies is their greater capacity for compression than in their own shape, which, in theory, could be any shape at all.
  • the manufacturing of such a spongy mass, and in particular the formation of the grooves is simplified when the grooves 15 a , 15 b in each set are substantially parallel to each other, and the grooves 15 a , 15 b in each of the two sets are substantially perpendicular to those of the other set, as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
  • the blocks 16 are substantially square in shape and measure about 15 to 25 mm on each side c, typically about 19 mm on each side, with a block pitch p of about 20 mm (meaning the grooves are about 1 mm wide).
  • the spongy mass 4 itself may have any shape, which can be suited to its conditions of use.
  • the spongy mass 4 may have a substantially quadrangular general shape in a top view, and the grooves 15 a , 15 b of the respective two sets may then be substantially parallel to its respective sides.
  • the spongy mass 4 has a substantially square general shape, approximately 118 mm on each side (d), with a thickness E on the order of 40 to 50 mm.
  • the spongy mass 4 may comprise two substantially parallel lateral scores 17 cut into the lateral wall substantially perpendicularly to said grooves 15 .
  • the two scores 17 are cut in two opposite lateral faces 18 of the spongy mass 4 , in proximity to its lower portion.
  • the spongy mass 4 has a thickness E on the order of 50 mm
  • the scores 17 have a width I of about 2 mm and their upper face 20 is located about 10 mm from the lower face 19 of the spongy mass 4 .
  • the effective thickness E 1 of the spongy mass 4 (meaning the thickness capable of being compressed, blocks included) is about 40 mm, which is sufficient to allow the abovementioned deflection on the order of 20 mm.
  • the expected results could be achieved, including for end walls 2 having complex shapes such as petaloid end walls, by giving the main face 14 of the spongy mass 4 a substantially flat shape as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the main face of the spongy mass may be shaped differently, at least centrally; in particular, it may, for example, be convex or concave in relation to the shape of the end wall 2 of the containers.
  • FIG. 3 shows a top view of a carousel-type system rotating around an axis X, which is arranged to implement the general aspects described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B , it again being understood that the aspects specific to the present invention can be used in a differently designed system (for example where it is the containers that are moved vertically in order to be brought into contact with the spongy masses traveling at a constant level).
  • the system designated as a whole by the reference 31 , comprises a frame 32 having the general shape of a platform that is substantially horizontal and substantially transverse to the axis X.
  • the frame 32 supports a trough or gutter 34 that is substantially annular and substantially coaxial with the axis X, of which only the outer annular wall 37 is visible on the drawing.
  • the gutter 34 is rotationally fixed.
  • a shaft 39 coaxial with the axis X can be made to rotate, by its lower end projecting below the frame 32 , by transmission means (for example a pulley driven by a belt) connected to a driving means (not shown).
  • transmission means for example a pulley driven by a belt
  • driving means not shown
  • the shaft 39 supports a disk-shaped drum 44 supporting clamp assemblies 48 suitable for gripping the necks 7 of containers 1 .
  • the opening and closing of the clamps of the clamp assemblies 48 may be controlled by control means comprising a cam (not visible) and cam follower(s) 50 , as is well known to persons skilled in art.
  • the containers 1 are conveyed one after the other along a predetermined path T which is substantially an arc of a circle of a predetermined radius as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3 .
  • the support means S for the spongy masses 4 comprise a ring 46 that is substantially coaxial with the axis X, which supports a set of spongy masses 4 circularly distributed along its periphery with a constant angular interval between them, by means which will be detailed below with reference to FIGS. 4A , 4 B.
  • the ring 46 is supported, in a manner that allows it to rotate freely, by the support means for the gutter 34 .
  • each clamp assembly 48 is vertically aligned with a spongy mass 4 .
  • the spongy masses 4 advance one after the other along a substantially circular path U (symbolized by an arrow in FIG. 3 ) which has a radius substantially equal to said predetermined radius and which runs substantially parallel and substantially coaxially to said predetermined path T of the containers 1 , with said spongy masses 4 being moved synchronously in rotation with said containers 1 and underneath the respective end walls 2 of said containers.
  • the support means S for the spongy masses 4 are arranged to raise the spongy masses in order to bring them into contact with the end walls of the containers 1 at the start of treatment and to lower the spongy masses in order to move them away from said end walls at the end of treatment.
  • These raising and lowering movements can be controlled by conventional means comprising a fixed cam and cam followers (not visible in FIG. 3 ) as is commonly used in this field.
  • an infeed transfer wheel 54 brings the containers 1 perpendicular to a loading axis LOAD where they are respectively grasped by the aforesaid clamping means 48 .
  • the end walls 2 of the containers 1 are located above the respective spongy masses 4 .
  • the spongy masses 4 are then raised such that the end walls 2 of the containers 1 are forced into contact with the respective spongy masses 4 .
  • Each container is then conveyed in this position over a major portion of the circular path, until it is perpendicular to an unloading axis UNLOAD where it is grasped by an outfeed transfer wheel 55 .
  • the distance D in which contact is maintained as mentioned above is slightly less (because of loading and unloading times) than the angular distance (in the direction of rotation) between the axes LOAD and UNLOAD.
  • Drips (condensation on contact with end walls, application of a liquid) from compressed spongy masses 4 fall into the gutter 34 .
  • An appropriate arrangement thereof such as the use of a pump, or more simply a sloped bottom 35 , drains out the collected liquid and sends it to a tank (not shown), where it may be retreated and/or reprocessed, for example thermally, for recycling if the system is specifically designed to apply a liquid to the end walls of containers. The draining then occurs in the angular interval between the loading LOAD and unloading UNLOAD axes mentioned above.
  • the loading of the spongy masses 4 with fresh fluid, particularly with liquid, also occurs in the angular interval between the unloading UNLOAD and loading LOAD axes mentioned above.
  • a supporting arm 56 extends radially above the gutter 34 , preferably supported in a fixed manner by the support means for the gutter 34 .
  • the arm 56 supports at least one supply line 57 which supplies fresh liquid. Said line 57 may be equipped with a nozzle or boom for spraying liquid onto the spongy masses 4 filing beneath it in order to reload them.
  • wringing means may be arranged, as just explained, to process the spongy masses that have just been saturated with liquid from contact with the end walls of the containers.
  • the spongy masses may be put through, at the aforesaid location, a liquid bath or under a shower and then wrung out as indicated.
  • An arm 60 (which can support, particularly at its lower end, a cam follower cooperating with a fixed cam, neither being visible in FIGS. 3 , 4 A, and 4 B, such that this arm is moved vertically to control the positioning of the spongy mass in contact with the end wall of the container or to move it away therefrom during a cycle) is integral at its upper end with the transfer means formed by said ring 46 .
  • the arm 60 supports a base 61 that is substantially in the form of or at least partially in the form of an approximately horizontal tray 62 .
  • the tray 62 is perforated by a multiplicity of holes 63 and forms a grating through which any liquid dripping from the spongy mass can easily flow into the underlying gutter 34 .
  • a platen 64 for receiving at least one spongy mass 4 is removably attached to said base 61 so that the spongy mass is atop said base 61 .
  • the platen 64 is at least partially in the form of a substantially horizontal plate 65 and it too is perforated with a multiplicity of holes 66 to facilitate the flow of liquid.
  • the holes 63 and the holes 66 may not have the same dimensions and/or shapes and/or may not be in line with each other.
  • the plate 65 can be distanced from the platen 64 above the tray 62 of the base 61 .
  • the plate 62 is laterally edged with raised edges 67 upon which rest the respective edges of the plate 65 , and one or more projecting ribs 67 a may optionally also be provided on the plate 62 .
  • the tray may comprise a front vertical skirt 68 oriented upward and equipped with slots 69 suitable for receiving snap-fastening tabs 70 on the front edge of the plate 65 .
  • means may be provided for quick connection, for example in the form of a trip screw as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B .
  • the platen 64 may have an upward-turned part 71 equipped with a notch 72 that is suitable for coming into contact with a correspondingly upward-turned part 73 of the base 61 ; the latter supports a trip screw 74 , which, in the position assembling the platen 64 on the base 61 , engages in the notch 72 and, after tightening, locks the platen 64 on the base 61 .
  • the plate 65 is open in its central part by a recess 75 that opens onto the front edge of said plate, such that the plate 65 has the general appearance of a fork with two arms 75 a as visible in FIG. 4B .
  • the spongy mass 4 is arranged as described above with two lateral scores 17 that slide onto said two respective arms 75 a as can be seen in FIG. 4A .
  • the maintenance process for replacing the spongy masses 4 can be further accelerated by arranging each support means S to support two spongy masses 4 side by side, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B .
  • Such an arrangement also makes it possible to simplify the support and movement control structure of the spongy masses 4 in an area of the system that is particularly crowded.
US13/056,618 2008-07-31 2009-07-30 Spongy mass for treating end walls of thermoplastic containers and device equipped therewith especially for cooling the hot end walls of containers leaving a molding unit Abandoned US20110162940A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0855283 2008-07-31
FR0855283A FR2934518B1 (fr) 2008-07-31 2008-07-31 Masse spongieuse pour traiter des fonds de recipients thermoplastiques, et installation qui en est equipee notamment pour le refroidissement des fonds chauds de recipients sortant de moulage
PCT/FR2009/051531 WO2010012958A2 (fr) 2008-07-31 2009-07-30 Masse spongieuse pour traiter des fonds de recipients thermoplastiques, et installation qui en est equipee notamment pour le refroidissement des fonds chauds de recipients sortant de moulage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110162940A1 true US20110162940A1 (en) 2011-07-07

Family

ID=40417511

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/056,618 Abandoned US20110162940A1 (en) 2008-07-31 2009-07-30 Spongy mass for treating end walls of thermoplastic containers and device equipped therewith especially for cooling the hot end walls of containers leaving a molding unit

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20110162940A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2326476B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN102164727B (fr)
AT (1) ATE534501T1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2378031T3 (fr)
FR (1) FR2934518B1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2011001217A (fr)
WO (1) WO2010012958A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140245989A1 (en) * 2013-03-04 2014-09-04 Kao-Shan Lin Gaseous state molecular combustion-supporting device
EP2845717A1 (fr) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-11 Krones AG Procédé et dispositif pour le refroidissement d'un fond

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103302779B (zh) * 2012-03-13 2015-08-26 曼盛包装（上海）有限公司 一种塑料罐体冷却定型装置
CN108437334B (zh) * 2018-03-30 2020-03-10 重庆致昌塑胶制品有限公司 一种海绵加工装置
CN116323148B (zh) * 2020-10-13 2023-11-17 八千代工业株式会社 罐用冷却装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3508953A (en) * 1967-12-22 1970-04-28 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Hydrophilic polyurethane sponge
US3923936A (en) * 1972-06-12 1975-12-02 Matek Corp Method of forming an open-celled resilient capillary device
US4797310A (en) * 1981-06-26 1989-01-10 Lever Brothers Company Substrate carrying a porous polymeric material

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1304939A (fr) * 1970-04-21 1973-01-31
GB1375041A (fr) * 1972-01-21 1974-11-27

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3508953A (en) * 1967-12-22 1970-04-28 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Hydrophilic polyurethane sponge
US3923936A (en) * 1972-06-12 1975-12-02 Matek Corp Method of forming an open-celled resilient capillary device
US4797310A (en) * 1981-06-26 1989-01-10 Lever Brothers Company Substrate carrying a porous polymeric material

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140245989A1 (en) * 2013-03-04 2014-09-04 Kao-Shan Lin Gaseous state molecular combustion-supporting device
EP2845717A1 (fr) * 2013-09-10 2015-03-11 Krones AG Procédé et dispositif pour le refroidissement d'un fond
US9545746B2 (en) 2013-09-10 2017-01-17 Krones Ag Apparatus for the after-cooling of bases
EP2845717B1 (fr) 2013-09-10 2018-03-07 Krones AG Procédé et dispositif pour le refroidissement d'un fond

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MX2011001217A (es) 2011-03-15
FR2934518A1 (fr) 2010-02-05
EP2326476B1 (fr) 2011-11-23
WO2010012958A2 (fr) 2010-02-04
ATE534501T1 (de) 2011-12-15
ES2378031T3 (es) 2012-04-04
EP2326476A2 (fr) 2011-06-01
CN102164727A (zh) 2011-08-24
FR2934518B1 (fr) 2013-04-26
WO2010012958A3 (fr) 2010-04-08
CN102164727B (zh) 2014-07-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8574477B2 (en) Method for applying a fluid to end walls of thermoplastic containers
US20110162940A1 (en) Spongy mass for treating end walls of thermoplastic containers and device equipped therewith especially for cooling the hot end walls of containers leaving a molding unit
CN101505885B (zh) 用于在清洁机中处理瓶子或类似容器的方法以及清洁机
US7550105B2 (en) Apparatus and method for strengthening blow molded articles
CN208466329U (zh) 一种浸涂设备和系统
MX2012009314A (es) Metodo y aparato para moldeo rotacional.
RU2401702C1 (ru) Способ и устройство для обработки емкостей из полимерного материала
US3253943A (en) Bottle coating machine
CN100391621C (zh) 容器的涂覆方法和设备
KR100718564B1 (ko) 턴테이블형 펄프 몰드 제조장치
JPS5882733A (ja) ブロ−成形クランプ並びにブロ−成形方法及び装置
US3732051A (en) Molding apparatus for producing resinous thermoplastic articles
US6928913B2 (en) Method and apparatus for trimming containers
EP0517720B1 (fr) Sechage d'articles de faience
JPS6227068A (ja) 瓶等低温容器のコ−テイング装置
CN101489692A (zh) 用于处理由塑料制成的容器的方法和装置
JPH07149544A (ja) シリコン塗布装置
CN212673780U (zh) 一种冷罐产品瓶身自动干燥装置
CN212822492U (zh) 一种旧砂喷水降温装置
CN210450192U (zh) 一种墨瓶清洗及烘干装置
EP0567339A1 (fr) Appareil pour le façonnage de produits en céramique
RU2406687C1 (ru) Полуавтоматический комплекс для мойки стеклянных бутылок
WO2003072466A1 (fr) Dispositif destine au transfert de recipients entre des transporteurs
US4077826A (en) Apparatus for handling glass jars
CN109562848A (zh) 液体收纳容器的制造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DERRIEN, MIKAEL;FEUILLOLEY, GUY;SIGNING DATES FROM 20110307 TO 20110309;REEL/FRAME:026041/0796

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION